Sizing up the Eagles’ final cut

Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley hands the ball off to running back Henry Josey in the first quarter Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field. Despite a strong game, Josey was on a list of players rumored to be among the Eagles’ cuts.
(Photo:
KYLE GRANTHAM/THE NEWS JOURNAL
)

PHILADELPHIA – The names have already started trickling out as various reports have the Eagles releasing six players on Friday, with 16 more to go by the NFL deadline at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

So far, there haven’t been any surprises other than a report that undrafted free agent Trey Burton will make the final 53-man roster as a tight end. That could either mean the Eagles are keeping four tight ends, or that veteran James Casey could be on his way out.

In addition, the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported that linebacker Travis Long tore his ACL and will miss the season. He seemed to have the inside track for a roster spot.

The list of those released started with quarterback G.J. Kinne, offensive lineman Josh Andrews, running back Henry Josey, and wide receivers Ifeanyi Momah and former Rutgers star Quron Pratt. The Eagles will also reportedly place wide receiver Arrelious Benn on short term injured reserve with a back injury, meaning that when he’s healthy he’ll be released.

As for those who will make the team, keep in mind that right tackle Lane Johnson is suspended for the first four games, so he doesn’t count on the final roster.

In addition, the 53-man roster at 4 p.m. Saturday probably won’t be the same as the 53-man roster on Sunday or Monday. That’s because the Eagles will most likely sign someone released from another team.

Here’s a best guess to what the roster will look like Saturday:

QUARTERBACK (3): Nick Foles, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley.

There are no surprises here, unless the Eagles trade Barkley. Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Barkley, who went 21-for-34 for 253 yards in the Eagles’ 37-7 win over the Jets on Thursday, has improved greatly from his rookie season in 2013. But he’s clearly well behind Foles and Sanchez.

It seemed like Henry Josey would have a legitimate shot at making the team after he rushed for 121 yards Thursday and managed to be the only running back behind McCoy and Sproles to stay healthy. But that didn’t happen.

Polk should make the team despite missing a month with a hamstring injury that kept him out of all four preseason games. He returned to practice last week, and he should be healthy for the opener next Sunday. That leaves Matthew Tucker as the odd man out, as he will likely lose out to Kenjon Barner, who gives the Eagles more versatility in that he can also return kicks.

Kelly indicated last week that he wasn’t planning to place Huff on IR with a shoulder injury, which is a signal that he’s close to returning. The Eagles won’t have room for Damaris Johnson, whom they’re reportedly trying to trade.

The final decision should come down to keeping Square or fifth-round pick Taylor Hart. The pick here is Square because of his contribution last season, while Hart, a fifth-round pick, hasn’t made much of an impact. The Eagles will no doubt try to get him onto the practice squad.

Long likely would have gotten the final spot over Josh Kaddu and Matthews, but the injury changed everything. Matthews, like Long and Kaddu, learned how to play both inside and outside. Braman stays because of his special teams prowess.

Ed Reynolds is the odd man out. He couldn’t participate in the OTAs because his class at Stanford hadn’t graduated, and he never really caught up. Like Hart, Reynolds was a fifth-round pick, and the Eagles will try to get him on the practice squad.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Jon Dorenbos, Donnie Jones, Cody Parkey.

The Alex Henery era is over after Parkey drilled field goals of 54 and 53 yards Thursday.